World 2020 Timeline

All categories Politics / Government Immigration / Law / Policy Economy / Jobs / Business War / Conflict / Security Culture / Society Pop Culture / Entertainment Sports Technology / Science Health / Disasters Major Trends
Showing 75 events on this page. Use search or category filters to narrow the year.
Apr
21
War / Conflict / Security

A World Health Organization worker collecting coronavirus samples is killed after his United Nations–marked vehicle was hit by gunfire in Rakhine State, Myanmar

A World Health Organization worker collecting coronavirus samples is killed after his United Nations–marked vehicle was hit by gunfire in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Both the Myanmar Army and Arakan Army rebels deny any involvement in the attack. (BBC News)

Apr
21
Immigration / Law / Policy

China–United States relations, COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri Missouri becomes the first U.S.

China–United States relations, COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri Missouri becomes the first U.S. state to file a lawsuit against the Chinese government over the coronavirus pandemic, claiming the government is responsible for the virus's negative impact on the state's economy and that the nation is "hoarding" masks. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman says his country is "not under the jurisdiction of U.S. courts"; that "abuse of litigation" does not help the "epidemic response at home in the United States and also runs counter to international cooperation". (Reuters)

Apr
21
War / Conflict / Security

Internal conflict in Myanmar A World Health Organization worker collecting coronavirus samples is killed after his United Nations–marked vehicle was hit by gunf

Internal conflict in Myanmar A World Health Organization worker collecting coronavirus samples is killed after his United Nations–marked vehicle was hit by gunfire in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Both the Myanmar Army and Arakan Army rebels deny any involvement in the attack. (BBC News)

Apr
21
Immigration / Law / Policy

Missouri becomes the first U.S.

Missouri becomes the first U.S. state to file a lawsuit against the Chinese government over the coronavirus pandemic, claiming the government is responsible for the virus's negative impact on the state's economy and that the nation is "hoarding" masks. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman says his country is "not under the jurisdiction of U.S. courts"; that "abuse of litigation" does not help the "epidemic response at home in the United States and also runs counter to international cooperation". (Reuters)

Apr
21
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports 5,642 new confirmed cases and 51 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the cou

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports 5,642 new confirmed cases and 51 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, bringing Russia's death toll to 456 and 52,763 total cases. (TASS) A 56-year-old urologist becomes the first Russian doctor to die from COVID-19 at a hospital in Moscow. (The Moscow Times)

Apr
21
Health / Disasters

COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports 5,642 new confirmed cases and 51 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, brin

COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia reports 5,642 new confirmed cases and 51 more deaths from COVID-19, the highest daily death toll in the country to date, bringing Russia's death toll to 456 and 52,763 total cases. (TASS) A 56-year-old urologist becomes the first Russian doctor to die from COVID-19 at a hospital in Moscow. (The Moscow Times)

Apr
22
Technology / Science

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India The Indian Council of Medical Research advises all states to suspend using COVID-19 rapid

COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in Asia COVID-19 pandemic in India The Indian Council of Medical Research advises all states to suspend using COVID-19 rapid test kits for two days, after some kits were found to be faulty. (CNN) COVID-19 pandemic in Europe COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The Department of Health and Social Care reports 4,451 new confirmed cases and 759 more deaths from COVID-19, bringing the United Kingdom's total cases to 133,495 and the death toll to 18,100. (ITV)

Apr
23
Politics / Government

2020 Kiribati parliamentary election Results show that four women win seats in the parliament and that most ministers of the current government keep their seats

2020 Kiribati parliamentary election Results show that four women win seats in the parliament and that most ministers of the current government keep their seats, including President Taneti Mamau. However, it is too early to say whether he would be his party's nomination for President again. (RNZ)

Apr
23
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation Italian Minister of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli announces the government wil

COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation Italian Minister of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli announces the government will nationalize the country's main flag carrier Alitalia by June, claiming the airline will go bankrupt otherwise. This reverses earlier plans to have it fully privatized. (Reuters)

Apr
23
Politics / Government

Italian Minister of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli announces the government will nationalize the country's main flag carrier Alitalia by June, claiming

Italian Minister of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli announces the government will nationalize the country's main flag carrier Alitalia by June, claiming the airline will go bankrupt otherwise. This reverses earlier plans to have it fully privatized. (Reuters)

Apr
23
War / Conflict / Security

Two former high-ranking members of the Syrian Army go on trial in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, for alleged war crimes committed during the Syrian Civ

Two former high-ranking members of the Syrian Army go on trial in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, for alleged war crimes committed during the Syrian Civil War. This is the first time that Syrian military officials are being prosecuted for their roles in the conflict. (Al Jazeera) (Reuters)

Apr
23
Sports

2020 NFL season, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports In American football, the National Football League starts its draft for the 2020 season, with the Cin

2020 NFL season, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports In American football, the National Football League starts its draft for the 2020 season, with the Cincinnati Bengals selecting Joe Burrow with the first overall pick. The draft's public events in Las Vegas were canceled, with teams selecting players from private offices to comply with social distancing guidelines. (NFL)

Apr
24
Politics / Government

Internal conflict in Myanmar Unknown gunmen attack the headquarters of the government-backed Pan Say militia in Muse, Shan State.

Internal conflict in Myanmar Unknown gunmen attack the headquarters of the government-backed Pan Say militia in Muse, Shan State. The attackers opened fire with small arms and artillery before fleeing in cars and motorbikes. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. (The Irrawaddy)

Apr
24
Politics / Government

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States President Donald Trump signs a US$484 billion interim coronavirus relief bill that will add anothe

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States President Donald Trump signs a US$484 billion interim coronavirus relief bill that will add another $310 billion to the small-business Paycheck Protection Program, as well as provide billions in aid to hospitals and for testing. (Axios)

Apr
24
War / Conflict / Security

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen The Saudi-led coalition announces the extension of a unilateral ceasefire by one month to fi

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen, COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen The Saudi-led coalition announces the extension of a unilateral ceasefire by one month to fight the pandemic. The Houthis did not accept the coalition's previous ceasefire that expired Thursday. Reportedly, the Houthis "want a lifting of air and sea blockades imposed by the coalition to the regions they control before agreeing to a ceasefire". (Reuters)

Apr
24
War / Conflict / Security

The Saudi-led coalition announces the extension of a unilateral ceasefire by one month to fight the pandemic.

The Saudi-led coalition announces the extension of a unilateral ceasefire by one month to fight the pandemic. The Houthis did not accept the coalition's previous ceasefire that expired Thursday. Reportedly, the Houthis "want a lifting of air and sea blockades imposed by the coalition to the regions they control before agreeing to a ceasefire". (Reuters)

Apr
25
Politics / Government

Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) The separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) announces the establishment of a self-rule administration in southern Yemen.

Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) The separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) announces the establishment of a self-rule administration in southern Yemen. The internationally-recognized government describes this move as "catastrophic." STC forces are deployed in the city of Aden as emergency rule is declared. (Reuters)

Apr
25
Immigration / Law / Policy

Bangladesh–Myanmar relations Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen says that it is not the responsibility of his country to rescue more than 500 Rohingy

Bangladesh–Myanmar relations Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen says that it is not the responsibility of his country to rescue more than 500 Rohingya refugees who have been at sea for weeks. Momen tells Al Jazeera they "should ask the Myanmar government first because they are their citizens". (Al Jazeera)

Apr
25
Immigration / Law / Policy

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen says that it is not the responsibility of his country to rescue more than 500 Rohingya refugees who have been at s

Foreign Minister of Bangladesh AK Abdul Momen says that it is not the responsibility of his country to rescue more than 500 Rohingya refugees who have been at sea for weeks. Momen tells Al Jazeera they "should ask the Myanmar government first because they are their citizens". (Al Jazeera)

Apr
25
Culture / Society

The Lost Apple Project, a non-profit conservationist society based in the Pacific Northwest, announces the rediscovery of ten cultivars of apples previously tho

The Lost Apple Project, a non-profit conservationist society based in the Pacific Northwest, announces the rediscovery of ten cultivars of apples previously thought to be extinct. The decad almost doubles the total amount of species the society has rescued, bringing the total to 23. (CNN)

Apr
26
Politics / Government

Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces say they are in full control of all sovereign state institutions in the port city of

Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces say they are in full control of all sovereign state institutions in the port city of Aden, after capturing the Yemen Oil and Gas Corporation refinery, Aden International Airport, the central bank headquarters and the seaport. Yesterday, the STC declared self-rule in southern Yemen. (Xinhuanet) Governors in the southern Yemeni Governorates of Hadhramaut, Abyan, Shabwah, Al Mahrah, and the island of Socotra reject the STC's claim to self-rule and declare their loyalty to President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. (Al Jazeera)

Apr
26
Economy / Jobs / Business

Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces say they are in full control of all sovereign state institutions in the port city of Aden, after capturing the Yemen

Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces say they are in full control of all sovereign state institutions in the port city of Aden, after capturing the Yemen Oil and Gas Corporation refinery, Aden International Airport, the central bank headquarters and the seaport. Yesterday, the STC declared self-rule in southern Yemen. (Xinhuanet)

Apr
27
Politics / Government

Second Libyan Civil War In a televised address, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar says his Libyan National Army is accepting a "popular mandate" to rule the country,

Second Libyan Civil War In a televised address, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar says his Libyan National Army is accepting a "popular mandate" to rule the country, seemingly declaring himself the ruler of Libya and dismissing the House of Representatives. An adviser to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord says Haftar has exposed himself as an authoritarian. (Reuters)

Apr
27
Politics / Government

COVID-19 pandemic The number of worldwide cases of COVID-19 surpasses three million.

COVID-19 pandemic The number of worldwide cases of COVID-19 surpasses three million. The United States accounts for more than a third of the total cases. (Reuters) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reports no new community transmissions of COVID-19 for the first time since the pandemic began, effectively eliminating the spread of the virus. (BBC News)

Apr
27
Economy / Jobs / Business

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Coronavirus recession Offshore drilling contractor Diamond Offshore Drilling files for bankruptcy due to the oil price

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Coronavirus recession Offshore drilling contractor Diamond Offshore Drilling files for bankruptcy due to the oil price collapse, following the reduction in oil demand during the global coronavirus pandemic. (The Wall Street Journal) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation Delta Air Lines announces it is suspending flights to several small-hub airports after losing $534 million in the first quarter of this year due to aviation restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. (MLive.com)

Page navigation keeps this timeline fast on phones and slower connections.